Gloucester City's Schooner christen Today 11 AM
Saturday, September 13, 2008
By Bill Cleary
At 11 AM today (Saturday) the City of Gloucester City will officially christen the new schooner,
The Northwind/Saoirese Ceallaigh pronounced SEER-Shuh Kail-ay, 
meaning freedom
from strife at the former Coast Guard Base, (Freedom
Pier) King and Cumberland Streets and the Delaware River waterfront.
The City's Shamrock Festival is also being held today.
Councilman Nick Marchese was asked how the
City government chose the name for the vessel. He explained the idea for it
came about during a discussion among the mayor, council members and City Administrator
Paul Kain.
Marchese
said, “This Irish name using two words, Freedom, the Mayors
suggestion for Freedom Pier which is the schooner's new home in
Gloucester and my suggestion was the name Kelly, which is my mother’s maiden
name. I wanted to honor my mother Aileen who died this past winter
and all of her sisters who were born and raised in Gloucester City. The
Kelly family has been in this city for many years. They are all
Irish Catholic with a very strong faith in God and Gloucester City.
Anyone who knew and loved them knew they were good Gloucester
people. Many of their children still live
in Gloucester and surrounding communities who continue to carry
on traditions taught by the Kelly sisters.
“I have
thanked the Mayor and Council members for this honor. I know the
Kelly family, William, Grace, Edna, Alice, Girt, Rosemarie (Sis), Theresa, Aileen,
Florence (Nonnie), and Pat would be very proud to have this honor in the
naming of this schooner and to be a permanent part of Gloucester City’s history
forever” said Marchese.
Pat Kelly
Avis, the only surviving sister was asked to christen the vessel.
Pat, who accepted the invitation, is
still involved in Gloucester City through Saint Mary's Church.
The
Gloucester City Shamrock Festival begins at 11 AM and will continue to 7 PM. It
is being held along the Delaware River waterfront south on King Street towards
the City Marina and will include Proprietor’s Park.
Added
to the festivities is a free ride on the Northwind/Saoirese
Ceallaigh. The first 100 people who register Saturday will be given a ride on the
vessel that day. You can sign up at Freedom Pier.
Please
visit www.gloucestercityshamrockfestival.com
for further information.
